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The 153rd Open
16 July 2025
Practice makes perfect
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The best of the build-up at Royal Portrush
The practice days ahead of The 153rd Open have whetted the appetite for the main event.
Young fans have seen their heroes up close, the players have been fine-tuning their preparations and Live At The Range has captured some iconic moments behind the scenes.
Before the action gets underway, here is a recap of some of the best bits so far...
Harrington nails 160-yard challenge
Padraig Harrington will get The 153rd Open underway on Thursday and if this effort in the 160-yard challenge is anything to go by, he is warming up nicely.
Ticket Ballot 2026
Apply nowApply for tickets to Royal Birkdale before the ballot closes this month.
Justin juggles
Justin Rose is part of a Featured Group alongside Robert MacIntyre and Bryson DeChambeau on Thursday at 2:48pm, with every shot available to watch live on R&A TV.
If his golf is as good as his football, it will be worth tuning in.
Soaking in the views
Royal Portrush is a magical destination and the players have been making the most of the opportunity to soak in the scenery from the bench located by the 6th tee.
On Wednesday, Ludvig Aberg and his mother posed for this wholesome image.
Canadian quartet Taylor Pendrith, Mackenzie Hughes, Nick Taylor and Corey Conners posed together during a practice round on Tuesday.
Spanish trio Jon Rahm, Angel Hidalgo and Sergio Garcia did likewise. They are bidding to become their nation's first Champion Golfer since Seve Ballesteros in 1988.
Collin Morikawa, Champion Golfer of the Year in 2021, was looking pensive during one of his practice rounds.
And Shane Lowry, playing alongside Morikawa and world No.1 Scottie Scheffler in one of the morning's Featured Groups, was all smiles as he plots a second Open victory on this course.
Teder making friends
Richard Teder is the first-ever Estonian to play in The Open and one of nine amateurs chasing the Silver Medal. He gave young fans a souvenir after his round on Wednesday.
Niall drops in
One Direction star Niall Horan is used to life behind a microphone - but perhaps not as a golf commentator. But the fanatical fan was given a test by George Harper Jnr on Live At The Range...
Signed, sealed, delivered
Those looking for souvenirs and mementos have been spoilt for choice at the practice days, with players happy to give up their time to sign autographs for fans of all ages.
Magical for Jakubcik
Filip Jakubcik is the first-ever Czech representative at The Open and warmed up in style with a hole-in-one at the 6th on Tuesday. He will hope he has similar magic up his sleeve when the action starts for real.
Local backing
An incredible reception awaits Rory McIlroy when he tees off as part of a Featured Group alongside Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood at 3:10pm on Thursday. And if he needs any more inspiration, it is literally hanging from the rooftops.
Picture perfect
Majestic. In this land of giants, a legend will be made.
Practice Days 2026
Enter ballotFour new practice days will take place at Royal Birkdale in 2026 and you can apply for tickets now.
New Practice Days for Royal Birkdale
In addition to the four Championship days from Thursday, 16 July to Sunday, 19 July, there will be four new bespoke Practice Days fans can attend at The 154th Open in 2026.
Each day will have its own unique offering, from Last-Chance Qualifier, a dramatic 12-player qualifying contest, to Heroes Classic, a short-form challenges testing the biggest names in golf.
Learn more about our Practice Days and apply for tickets here.
